Ch.539Chapter 20. American Doblin (29)

The long journey had finally come to an end.

The issue with Cheonghyeseong was resolved, and the Mana Gold (cultural artifact) was secured.

Many things had happened, but in the end, everything worked out well.

“What are you going to do now? Planning to tour Osaka together? A date?”

“We’re heading back to Korea as planned. I need to prepare for the World Cup when we get back. What about you?”

“I need to return to America right away. I have pending work to handle and things to do.”

What Desmond had said to Councilman Fujimura wasn’t a lie.

“I’ve been staying in Korea and Japan for over a month, so there’s someone I haven’t been able to talk to.”

“Who?”

“My granddaughter. We can only communicate in America, so I haven’t been in touch with her for a month.”

“Ah…”

Ymir scratched her head with an embarrassed smile.

“It’s fine. It’s because I didn’t raise her properly. I told her not to even think about coming out until she comes to her senses, so she won’t cause any trouble just because I’m not there.”

Desmond’s expression darkened slightly when talking about his granddaughter.

At this point in his life, when he’s enjoying his twilight years with the Syndicate, if there’s one flaw that’s not really a flaw, it would definitely be Desmond’s granddaughter—the would-be thief of Armored Taejo’s genes.

Since Desmond wanted her to repent and reflect on her own rather than undergo the Syndicate’s mental reconditioning, the Syndicate imprisoned Juliana Faygreen in a separate villa instead of sending her to jail, ensuring she could never leave.

Even Desmond could only visit her with permission from the United States.

‘I’m not sorry, but somehow I do feel bad.’

According to the original story, by now Desmond would have been troubled by his granddaughter meeting various men at Sejong Academy, but he wouldn’t have paid much attention to it.

It’s part of America’s liberal culture, and she’s his granddaughter, not his daughter.

Especially considering that although she was a supporting character, she was originally supposed to meet the male protagonist—an EX-class ability user.

‘The original story is dead.’

About a year from now, the male protagonist whom Juliana might have tried to steal seed from doesn’t exist, and the only person around is Ymir, who’s constantly exploiting my seed right beside me.

“On your way back, be careful if you’re planning to do anything like that. It’s a mourning period for Goblin, so everyone’s keeping quiet about such matters.”

“Understood.”

Ymir politely bowed and accepted Desmond’s advice.

Of course, while she acted so properly on the outside, I could clearly see that she had already mapped out in her mind which route to take and how to serve her country while traveling.

A mourning period for Goblin?

Why mourn when Goblin isn’t even dead?

In reality, those who dislike the memorial atmosphere for Goblin are trying to leave Osaka or Japan.

Mourning someone’s death can create a gloomy aura that depletes one’s mental state.

Either sympathize with the sadness.

Or leave that sadness behind.

Desmond is different.

Knowing the truth, he’s in an uncomfortable position where he can neither sympathize with others’ sadness nor laugh about it, so he wants to leave Japan.

“When are you planning to leave?”

“Now that the job is done, I should leave safely. By plane.”

Desmond pointed to the carrier placed near the bed.

The carrier was already locked, and with just a coat to put on, he was ready to leave at any time.

“I’m sorry, but could I ask you a favor? Just take me to the airport. Those guys might install listening devices, so they might try something strange.”

“That’s no problem. It’s not like we have a roe deer here who throws herself at Japanese cars.”

“…Ahem. Is that uncomfortable for you?”

“I’m joking. My role is to ensure your safety until you leave Japan anyway. Under the protection of an S-class villain and an EX-class hero, I’ll escort you to the airport…”

“Ah!”

Ymir suddenly screamed.

“What’s wrong?”

“That private jet, is it…?”

Ymir’s expression gradually distorted.

As if remembering something she had forgotten, she suddenly became flustered and tried to silently convey something to me.

[Is it the private jet we came on?]

“……”

We came on Faygreen Corporation’s private jet.

“…Have you arranged for a plane? If you just take any flight, we won’t be able to protect you midway.”

“Ah, that. Don’t worry. The Syndicate sent a private jet. Hehe, you’d be amazed if you saw it.”

Desmond gave a thumbs-up, delighted like a child.

“It’s an unmanned passenger aircraft jointly developed by Faygreen and the Company! Although the number of people who can board is limited, the AI can fly the plane on autopilot without a pilot. Hehehe.”

“……”

“The Company just sent it to Osaka Airport for a test run, and it arrived successfully. It seems it encountered some turbulence midway, as it was a bit bumpy until landing.”

It was an unmanned aircraft without people on board, but that has nothing to do with abilities.

An aviation revolution created through collaboration between the Syndicate’s technology and Faygreen.

AI has now established itself not only in cars but also in airplanes—

“Hmm.”

Come to think of it.

Desmond doesn’t know we came on that.

And what happened inside…

“Um, Chairman!!”

Ymir raised her hand abruptly, drawing circles in the air with her hand.

“It’s been a while since we met, and I’m grateful for successfully handing over the artifact!”

“Hmm, suddenly the mood seems to have lifted…”

“In that spirit, shall I escort you to America?!”

“Huh?”

Desmond tilted his head at Ymir’s suggestion.

“You…? I’m not saying I don’t trust you, but suddenly, out of nowhere…?”

“Teleport!”

“…Oh.”

Whirr.

A golden dimensional gate opened in front of Ymir.

“I’ll transport you to Colorado in one go! If there are other security personnel, they can come too!”

“There aren’t any, but really? You can go from here to Colorado, America, in one go?”

“O-Of course!”

Ymir looked somewhat desperate.

“What do you think?”

“Hmm…”

“I’m not using a ton of magical power, just a moderate amount, so it’s no burden!”

“Spatial movement. Haha, well. I get to experience all sorts of things in life.”

Desmond walked toward the coat rack with a bitter smile and grabbed his coat.

“Well then, shall I accept Platinum Sun’s help?”

“I’ll go with you. After going to Colorado, it would be better if I went along to call the Tavern Owner from there.”

“Goblin too? Haha, well. Being escorted home with the world’s most reliable bodyguards.”

Desmond’s face completely relaxed, his eyes sparkling like a child before riding an amusement park ride.

“Ah. The unmanned aircraft…”

“That can be sent back easily. It’s unmanned, right? You can ride an unmanned aircraft anytime, but you might never experience teleportation if you miss this chance. Hahaha.”

“Sounds good.”

Fortunately, he couldn’t resist the ability.

Afterward.

After handing over Desmond Faygreen to the local Tavern Owner who drove a black sedan in Colorado, I stepped through the new dimensional gate Ymir opened.

“Teacher.”

“Yes.”

“…From now on, we should be better at cleaning up after ourselves…”

“This isn’t a motel or hotel, after all.”

I learned a life lesson.

“And…”

Still.

“There’s quite a bit of cleaning left to do.”

* * *

Osaka City, an apartment.

“Damn it!”

The black-haired beauty threw her smartphone down in anger.

“C-Councilman…”

“Damn it…! What’s so important about that artifact! The appraisal is already done! It’s not like there’s a USB inside; it’s just stolen property brought from Korea 100 years ago!”

Councilman Fujimura fumed, pointing at the smartphone with its cracked screen.

“So why should I be held accountable for failing to recover it?! Huh?! Why?!”

“T-That’s…”

The security guards blushed and lowered their heads.

Not just their heads, but they also bent their waists in an awkward posture.

“Aaaargh!!”

Councilman Fujimura, throwing a tantrum in irritation, was heavily intoxicated.

With disheveled clothes and flushed from alcohol, “she” could barely maintain her balance.

“Damn…”

Slumping onto the sofa, spreading her legs wide, and gulping down alcohol—certainly behavior no woman would normally exhibit.

“Damn it, as if becoming a woman wasn’t frustrating enough…!”

The security guards tried to keep reminding themselves that the person inside was a dark-skinned middle-aged man, but they couldn’t ignore the outward appearance.

“Everyone out! I’m going to sleep!”

“Ah, that…”

“What!”

“We’ll clean up the rest in the living room, so perhaps you should go to your room to sleep…”

“…Hmph!”

Councilman Fujimura snorted and headed to the room.

And then the councilman…

“…….”

Instinctively, without realizing it, locked the door.

“…Hmph, as if. Right, how long have those guys worked under me? They wouldn’t have such indecent thoughts.”

Muttering to herself, she checked the locked door once more before throwing herself onto the bed.

“Damn it, other people turned back into men…! Why am I… what’s this… huh?”

Whoosh.

Beyond the balcony connected to the master bedroom.

Something like a shadow flashed behind the curtain.

Wondering if she had seen wrong, Councilman Fujimura tilted her head but dismissed it and closed her eyes.

“……..”

She tried to close them.

A clicking sound.

It was definitely coming from the door she had locked.

“…….”

As Councilman Fujimura seriously considered calling the police with her smartwatch, she heard the door sliding open.

She immediately reached for her smartwatch, but her heart sank at the sound of the door being “pushed” open.

“Huh?”

And then she saw it.

A dark figure appearing as the balcony door opened.

“You are—”

“I am.”

The dark figure raised something like a golden rod high toward the ceiling.

“Just a passing Immortal.”

FLASH!!